Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for separating adjacent, adherent rolls of paperlike material from each other. Separate clamping units movable selectively to clamped and unclamped position surround each roll. One of the clamping units is movable both angularly and away from the other clamping unit simultaneously while the clamping units are in clamped position.

United States Patent Inventor Belmont D. Osteen Birmingham. Ala.

Appl. No. 704,767

Filed Feb. 12, I968 Patented Feb. 2, 1971 Assignee American Design, Inc.

Birmingham. Ala.

a corporation of Alabama. a part interest APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ADJACENT ADI-IERENT ROLLS 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 4. 225/102, 225/93 Int. Cl B261 3/00 Field of Search 225/93.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,985 5/1953 Ross 225/96 2.742.965 4/1956 DrummondJr 225/100 2.998.l 34 8/196] Gray 225/104X FOREIGN PATENTS 781.897 8/1957 Great Britain 225/94 Primary Examiner-James M. Meister Allorne vlennings, Carter and Thompson ABSTRACT: Apparatus for separating adjacent, adherent rolls of paperlike material from each other. Separate clamping units movable selectively to clamped and unclamped position surround each roll. One of the clamping units is movable both angularly and away from the other clamping unit simultaneously while the clamping units are in clamped position.

PATENTEU rm 2 IBYI SHEET 1 OF 3 INVENTOR. v Bel/non?- 0 sf'een.

PATENTEDFEB 219m 3.559858 SHEEI 2 OF 3 INVI'IN'I'UR Be lm 0/17 D. OsTcen B Y I Mf- ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING ADJACENT ADIIERENT ROLLS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to apparatus for separating adjacent adhered rolls. such as rolls of adding machine paper and the like.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, difiiculties have been encountered in separating rolls of adding machine paper and the like from each other after an elongated roll of the paper has been cut into a plurality of individual rolls due to the fact that the adjacent rolls remain in firm engagement with each other and adhere to each other. It has been the usual practice to employ a worker to beat the elongated roll comprising the individual rolls with a heavy bar whereby the rolls are separated from each other. This procedure is not only time consuming and requires a substantial amount of labor but the rolls are often damaged.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with my invention, I provide separate units for clamping adjacent rolls to be separated. One of the units is then moved both axially and angularly relative to the other clamping unit to thus separate the adjacent rolls. That is, adjacent rolls are moved away from each other, as they are twisted.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmental view, partly in section, showing the means for moving the clamping units away from each other;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. I with parts being omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the apparatus in the position that it assumes just prior to release of the lowermost clamping unit; and

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram for the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of my invention, I show a supporting frame 10 having a horizontal support plate 11. Extending through a suitable opening in the supporting plate 11 is a vertically extending, cylindrical housing 12. An annular flange 13 is secured rigidly to the housing 12 and the upper surface of the horizontal plate 11 by suitable means. The housing 12 is of a diameter to receive a long roll of paper comprising the individual rolls which are adhered to each other.

The upper portion of the cylindrical housing 12 is divided as at 14 to provide upper half-sections 16 and 17. The section 16 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 18 to a lower portion of the housing 12 and is adapted to move from the horizontal, solid line position to the vertical, dotted line position, as shown in FIG. 1. The upper half-section 17 is secured rigidly to the remainder of the housing 12 whereby it remains in a stationary position. Since the sections 16 and 17 are semicylindrical, as viewed in cross section, they form a continuation of the cylindrical lower portion of housing 12.

To move the movable section 16 selectively to the horizontal and vertical positions, an actuating arm 19 is mounted on a shaft 21 which in turn is operatively connected by a suitable transmission unit and sprocket chain 22 to a torque motor 23 which is preferably a reversible air motor. The arm 19 is provided with a laterally extending portion 24 which carries a roller 26 which engages the sections 16 of housing 12 whereby section 16 is moved from the horizontal, solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 1. An outwardly opening bracket 27 is secured to the movable section 16 in position to receive the roller 26 as the movable section 16 moves to the vertical position, as shown in FIG. 1. According, as the motor upper clamping unit 28 is actuated by a fluid pressureoperated cylinder 31 while the lower clamping unit 29 is actuated by a fluid pressure-operated cylinder 32. The fluid pressure-operated cylinders 31 and 32 are operatively connected to their respective clamping units 28 and 29 by a piston rod 33. In view of the fact that the clamping units 28 and 29 are identical in operation, a description of one will suffice for both. Each clamping unit 28 and 29 comprises an annular member 30 which is supported by rollers 35 having grooves 35a therein for receiving the periphery of the annular member 30, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the rollers 35 for supporting the annular member 30 associated with the clamping unit 28 are mounted on the annular flange 13 while the lowermost rollers 35 associated with clamping unit 29 are supported from the under surface of a plate member 34. Each annular member 30 is secured rigidly to or formed integrally with an outwardly projecting arm 36 which is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 37 to the end of piston rod 33, as shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 horizontal, transverse slots 38 are provided in the cylindrical housing 12 adjacent each annular member 30. An opening 39 is provided in each annular member 30 for receiving a bolt 41. As shown in FIG. 3, one end 42 of a curved, contractible member 43 engages the housing 12 adjacent one end of the slot 38. The other end of the contractible member 43 extends outwardly through the slot 38 and is provided with a loop portion 44 which surrounds the bolt 41. A slot 45 is provided in the loop portion 44 for receiving the annular member 30. Preferably, the contractible member 43 is made of spring steel or the like. To prevent critical bending of the contractible member 43, I preferably provide a second curved, contractible member 46 which extends inwardly of the contractible member 43, as shown in FIG. 3. One end 47 of the contractible member 46 overlaps the end 42 of the contractible member 43 whereby both ends 42 and 47 overlap the adjacent edge of the housing 12 at slot 38. The other end 48 of the innermost contractible member 46 extends freely, as shown. An annular groove 49 is provided in the housing 12 for receiving the contractible members 43 and 46 while the contractible members are in expanded position, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

To move the clamping units 28 and 29 from the unclamped position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 to the clamped position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, fluid under pressure is introduced into the cylinder 32 in a direction to move the arm 36 and the annular member 30 in a direction to move the pin 41 toward the ends 42 and 47 of the contractible members. To release the clamping units, air or other suitable fluid under pressure is introduced into the opposite end of the cylinder 31 or 32, as the case may be, whereby the curved, springlike contractible members 43 and 46 expand to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 3. The elongated roll is positioned in the section 16 whereby upon elevating section 16 and clamping the units 28 and 29 and then rotating the lower clamping unit, the lower clamping unit rotates the roll clamped therein in a direction for the roll to grip its core element to thus prevent rotation of the paper relative to the core of the roll.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plate 34 is supported by a plurality of angularly spaced bolts 51 which extend through suitable openings in the plate 34 and plate 11. Compression springs 52 surround the bolts 51 intermediate the lower surface of the plate 34 and lower nuts 53. Nuts 54 are in threaded engagement with the upper end of the bolts 51, as shown. By providing nuts 53 and 54 adjacent opposite ends of the bolts 51, the vertical position of the plate 34 may be adjusted. Secured to the periphery of the plate 34 at angularly spaced intervals are shaft members 56- having outwardly projecting rollers 57 mounted for rotation thereon. The shafts 56 are shown as being secured to sleeve members 58 by setscrews 59. The sleeve members 58 are secured to the plate 34 by suitable means, such as by welding.

Mounted on the under surface of the horizontal plate 11 at angularly spaced intervals and in position to be engaged by the rollers 57 are cam members 61. Each cam member 61 is provided with an inclined surface 62 which permits the rollers 57 to move from a position in contact with the under surface of plate 11 to a position in contact with the raised portion of cam member 61. As shown in FIG. 1, as the roller 57 moves from engagement with the under surface of the horizontal plate 11 to engagement with the lowermost surface of the cam member 61, the plate 34 is moved downwardly away from plate 11 whereby the clamping unit 29 is moved away from the clamping unit 28. As the roller 57 moves off the cam member 61, the springs 52 return the plate 34 to its upper position with the roller 57 engaging the under surface of plate 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the plate 34 is provided with arcuate recesses 63 therein which are spaced angularly from each other, as shown. The arcuate openings 63 receive the bolts 51 with a sliding fit whereby the plate 34 is adapted to oscillate relative to the bolts. Secured to the plate 34 is an outwardly projecting bracket 64 which is pivotally connected by a suitable connection 66 to an actuating rod 67. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the actuating rod is pivotally connected by a suitable connection 68 to a bracket 69 carried by a pair of rotatable cam members 71 and 72 which are mounted on a vertical, drive shaft 73 of a gearbox 74. Power is imparted to the gearbox by a motor 76 whereby the cam members 71 and 72 are rotated at the same time the actuating rod 67 is oscillated back and forth to move the plate 34 relative to the vertical bolts 51.

Extending through a suitable opening in the horizontal plate 11 and secured thereto is a vertical, bearing sleeve member 77. Mounted for rotation within the bearing sleeve member 77 is a vertical shaft 78 which is secured at its lower end to a laterally projecting arm 79 which is adapted to move beneath the lower end of the vertical housing 12, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5. Upon moving the actuating rod 67 toward the left, as viewed in FIG. 5, the plate 34 moves relative to the bolts 51 whereupon the support arm 79 moves to the solid line position. To move the arm 79 from the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5, I provide an elongated slot 81 in the arm 79 which is adapted to receive a pin 82 with a sliding fit. The pin 82 is carried by one end of an arm 83. The other end of arm 83 is pivotally connected by a pin 84 to the plate 34. One end of a tension spring 86 is connected to the pin 82 with the other end of the spring being connected to a pin 87 carried by the plate 34. Accordingly, upon movement of the plate 34 by the actuating rod 67 the arm 83 and spring 86 move from the solid line position shown in FIG. to the dotted line position whereupon the spring 86 is then in position to move the support arm 79 to the dotted line position which is in alignment with the roll supported in the housing 12. That is to say, as the actuating rod 67 is oscillated back and forth by rotation of the bracket 69, the support arm 79 is moved selectively from the solid line position to the dotted line position as the bolts 51 approach opposite ends of the arcuate slot 63 in plate 34.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cam members 71 and 72 are provided with recesses 88 and 89, respectively in position to receive cam rollers 91 and 92, respectively. The roller 91 actuates a switch element 93 while the cam roller 92 actuates a switch element 94. A switch element 96 for motor 23 is carried by the movable section 16 of housing 12 in position to be actuated as an elongated roll comprising individual rolls is inserted into the section 16. Accordingly, as the roll is inserted in section 16, air under pressure is introduced into the motor 23 to drive the motor in a direction to move the section 16 from the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 1.

Mounted on the stationary section 17 of housing 17 at an elevation above the bottom of housing 12 is a switch element 97 for motor 76 which is actuated as the rolls engage the switch element. After the uppermost roll in the housing 12 has passed the switch element 97, the switch element moves inwardly to deenergize motor 76 to thus stop operation of the apparatus until another elongated roll is inserted. Also. as the last roll in the housing 12 passes the switch element 96. the switch moves inwardly to introduce air under pressure at the opposite side of the torque motor 23 whereupon the movable section 16 moves from the vertical, dotted line position to the solid line position. The switch element 96 is positioned above the switch element 97 whereby the section 16 is moved to the horizontal, solid line position shown in FIG. 6 prior to the switch element 97 being actuated to deenergize motor 76. A master switch 98 is provided in one of two lines 99 and 10] which supply current to the apparatus.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood. Upon placing an elongated roll comprising a plurality of individual rolls into the section 16, the switch element 96 is actuated to cause the torque motor 23 to move the section 16 from the solid line position to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 1. The elongated roll then moves downwardly into the lower portion of the housing whereupon the lower end thereof engages the remaining rolls supported by the support arm 79. As the roll moves into the stationary section 17, it engages switch element 97 whereupon the motor 76 is energized to rotate the cam members 71 and 72. In FIG. 5, the cam roller 92 is about to leave the recess 89 and move up onto the raised portion of cam member 72. In this position, the support arm 79 is in the solid line position shown in FIG. 5. As the roller 92 rides up on the raised portion of cam member 72, the lower clamping unit 29 is released since switch element 94 is actuated to introduce fluid under pressure into cylinder 32 in a direction to release the contractible member 43. Upon release of the contractible member, the roll separated falls onto a subjacent conveyor indicated generally at C. Continued rotation of the cam members 71 and 72 causes the actuating rod 67 to move toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 5, whereupon the spring 86 is moved to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 5 whereupon it urges the support arm 79 beneath the housing 12. Continued rotation of the motor 76 causes the roller 91 to fall into the recess 88 whereupon the switch element 93 is moved to a position to introduce fluid under pressure into cylinder 31 in a direction to open the upper clamping unit 28 thus permitting the roll to fall onto the support arm 79. It will be noted that the cam members 71 and 72 rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5.

Continued rotation of the cam members 71 and 72 causes roller 92 to drop into recess 89 whereupon switch element 94 is moved into a position to cause fluid under pressure to be introduced at the proper end of cylinder 32 to close the lower clamping unit 29. Continued rotation of cam members 71 and 72 causes cam roller 91 to leave recess 88 to move switch element 93 to a position to introduce fluid under pressure at the proper end of cylinder 31 to move the upper clamping unit 28 to clamped position. In this position, the arm 79 has moved to the solid line position shown in FIG. 5 and cam roller 57 rides upon the under surface of cam member 61 to thus urge the plate 34 away from plate 11 whereupon clamping unit 29 is moved away from clamping unit 28. Accordingly, angular movement of the plate 34 by the rod 67 and axial movement imparted by engagement of the cam roller 57 with cam member 61 causes the lower clamping unit 29 to move both angularly and axially or away from the clamping unit 28 simultaneously to thus separate the lowermost roll from the roll adjacent thereto. Upon engagement of the cam roller 92 with the raised portion of cam member 72, the cycle of operation is repeated whereupon successive rolls are separated from the long roll introduced into the housing 12.

As the uppermost roll in the housing 12 passes beneath the switch element 96, the motor 23 is driven in a direction to lower section 16 to the solid line position for receiving another roll. As the uppermost or last roll in the housing passes switch element 97, switch element 97 is moved to. a position to deenergize motor 76 whereupon the apparatus is stopped to thus assure that rolls remain in the clamping element 28 and 29 at all times. Accordingly, there is no difficulty in inserting the rolls of paperlike material into the clamping units 28 and 29.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have devised improved apparatus for separating adjacent adhered rolls of paperlike material from each other. By gripping adjacent rolls with separate gripping elements and then imparting relative movement both axially and angularly simultaneously, the rolls are separated from the elongated roll with a minimum of effort and without damage to the individual rolls. By providing apparatus which operates continuously to separate the individual rolls sequentially until the uppermost roll passes the switch element 97, the apparatus is automatic in operation and at the same time rolls remain in the clamping units 28 and 29, thus facilitating the feeding of new rolls into the apparatus. Furthermore, by providing a movable housing section which is lowered upon movement of the uppermost roll to a predetermined elevation, the new roll may be inserted at that time thus reducing to a minimum the time that the apparatus is out of operation for insertion of additional rolls.

It will be apparent that the uppermost clamping unit 28 may engage one individual roll or any number of individual rolls while the lowermost roll is separated therefrom by axial and angular movement of the lower clamping unit 29.

While I have shown my invention in but one form it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other which comprises:

a. a first clamping unit engageable with one of said adjacent rolls and movable selectively to a clamped position and an unclamped position relative thereto;

b. a second clamping unit engageable with the other of said adjacent rolls and movable selectivelyito a clamped position and an unclamped position relative thereto; and

0. means to move at least one of said clamping units both angularly and axially away from the other clamping unit simultaneously while each of said clamping units is in clamped position relative to its roll whereby said adjacent rolls are separated from each other.

2. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 1 in which each clamping unit comprises:

a. a curved, contractible member disposed to substantially surround a roll and movable selectively to a contracted position and an expanded position;

b. means anchoring one end of said contractible member;

and

c. actuating means operatively connected to the other end of said contractible member to move said other end relative to said one end whereby said contractible member moves selectively toward and away from a roll positioned therein.

3. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 2 in which the clamping units are mounted within a generally cylindrical housing and are spaced axially relative to each other, there being transverse slots in said housing for connecting said actuating means to said contractible member.

4. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which said other end of each contractible member extends outwardly through said slot and is connected to said actuating member outwardly of said slot.

5. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which a curved springlike member is mounted inwardly of said contractible member in position to surround a roll.

6. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which said actuating means for said contractible member comprises:

a. an annular member operatively connected to said other end of each contractible member and surrounding said housing and adapted for oscillation relative thereto; and

b. means to move each annular member angularly to selected angular positions to thus move said clamping units selectively to clamped and unclamped position.

7. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 6 in which one of said annular members is movable angularly relative to the other annular member and means is provided to move said one annular member axially toward and away from said other annular member in response to angular movement of said annular members relative to each other.

8. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 7 in which said one annular member is urged resiliently toward said other annular member and means is operatively connected to said one annular member to move said one annular member angularly to selected position.

9. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 7 in which the means to move said one annular member toward and away from said other annular member comprises:

a. a movable plate surrounding said housing and supporting said one annular member for oscillation relative thereto;

b. a cam-engaging member carried by said movable plate;

and

c. a cam member mounted in position to be engaged by said cam-engaging member in response to angular movement of said movable plate in one direction.

10. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 9 in which a power-actuated member is operatively connected to said movable plate to move said one annular member angularly in said one direction to thereby move said first and second clamping units away from each other while said clamping units are moved angularly relative to each other. 

1. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other which comprises: a. a first clamping unit engageable with one of said adjacent rolls and movable selectively to a clamped position and an unclamped position relative thereto; b. a second clamping unit engageable with the other of said adjacent rolls and movable selectively to a clamped position and an unclamped position relative thereto; and c. means to move at least one of said clamping units both angularly and axially Away from the other clamping unit simultaneously while each of said clamping units is in clamped position relative to its roll whereby said adjacent rolls are separated from each other.
 2. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 1 in which each clamping unit comprises: a. a curved, contractible member disposed to substantially surround a roll and movable selectively to a contracted position and an expanded position; b. means anchoring one end of said contractible member; and c. actuating means operatively connected to the other end of said contractible member to move said other end relative to said one end whereby said contractible member moves selectively toward and away from a roll positioned therein.
 3. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 2 in which the clamping units are mounted within a generally cylindrical housing and are spaced axially relative to each other, there being transverse slots in said housing for connecting said actuating means to said contractible member.
 4. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which said other end of each contractible member extends outwardly through said slot and is connected to said actuating member outwardly of said slot.
 5. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which a curved springlike member is mounted inwardly of said contractible member in position to surround a roll.
 6. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 3 in which said actuating means for said contractible member comprises: a. an annular member operatively connected to said other end of each contractible member and surrounding said housing and adapted for oscillation relative thereto; and b. means to move each annular member angularly to selected angular positions to thus move said clamping units selectively to clamped and unclamped position.
 7. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 6 in which one of said annular members is movable angularly relative to the other annular member and means is provided to move said one annular member axially toward and away from said other annular member in response to angular movement of said annular members relative to each other.
 8. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 7 in which said one annular member is urged resiliently toward said other annular member and means is operatively connected to said one annular member to move said one annular member angularly to selected position.
 9. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 7 in which the means to move said one annular member toward and away from said other annular member comprises: a. a movable plate surrounding said housing and supporting said one annular member for oscillation relative thereto; b. a cam-engaging member carried by said movable plate; and c. a cam member mounted in position to be engaged by said cam-engaging member in response to angular movement of said movable plate in one direction.
 10. Apparatus for separating adjacent adherent rolls from each other as defined in claim 9 in which a power-actuated member is operatively connected to said movable plate to move said one annular member angularly in said one direction to thereby move said first and second clamping units away from each other while said clamping units are moved angularly relative to each other. 